USAID Grant: Justice for the Disappeared in Chihuahua by Mexican NGOs

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) seeks applications from qualified organizations to fund an activity entitled Justice for the Disappeared in Chihuahua. Eligibility for this award is restricted to Mexican Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). Please see Section C for eligibility requirements.

The overall goal of this activity is to improve the state response to enforced disappearances through increased capacity in public institutions and more effective victims’ advocacy in the Mexican state of Chihuahua. The theory of change is that if Mexican government institutions are able to more effectively respond to human rights abuses by collaborating with victims, human rights organizations and forensics specialists for the advancing of cases of enforced disappearances, these cases will decrease and victims will find justice, thus building the legitimacy of the GOM.

There are now more than 35,000 officially recognized victims of disappearance in Mexico and Chihuahua reports at least 1,698 to date. However, prosecutors inappropriately reclassifying enforced disappearances and victims not reporting disappearances due to fear of retaliation or no easy access to prosecutors, suggest the actual number is greater.  The lack of basic accurate investigative steps by Mexican authorities hinder the identification of those responsible for disappearances.  Mexican authorities also lack capacity to make use of forensic anthropology to help identify remains of victims, provide possible information regarding cause and manner of death, and bring closure to the victims families.  Investigation, forensic anthropology and access social services, must operate appropriately to help victims deal with the consequences of the disappearance.

Ongoing activities related to enforced disappearances

Under international law, the responsibility to investigate and prosecute enforced disappearance cases is that of the State.   This activity will build off of the momentum and political will already created by the USAID’s EnfoqueDH human rights activity in Chihuahua  The activity will also amplify EnfoqueDH’s work with victims’ collectives, families of the disappeared, and local and international human rights organizations.

● Is organized under the laws of Mexico
● Is not a governmental entity
● Has its principal place of business in Mexico
● Is majority-owned by individuals who are citizens or lawful permanent residents of Mexico or is managed by the governing body, the majority of whose members are citizens or lawful permanent residents of Mexico, and
● Is not controlled by a foreign entity or by an individual or individuals who are not citizens or permanent residents of Mexico

The term “control” or controlled by” in the above definition means having a majority ownership or beneficial interest, or the power, either directly or indirectly, whether exercised or exercisable, to control the election, appointment, or tenure of the organization’s managers or a majority of the organization’s governing body by any means, e.g., ownership, contract, or operation of law. The term “Foreign Entity” means an organization that fails to meet any part of the “local organization” definition.

USAID welcomes applications from organizations which have not previously received financial assistance from USAID.

The Recipient must be a responsible entity. The AO may determine that a pre-award survey is required to conduct an examination that will determine whether the prospective recipient has the necessary organization, experience, accounting and operational controls, and technical skills – or ability to obtain them – in order to achieve the objectives of the program and comply with the terms and conditions of the award. The successful applicant(s) will be subject to a responsibility determination assessment (Non-U.S. Organization Pre-Award Survey (NUPAS) https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/303sam.pdf) by the Agreement Officer (AO).

NOTE: If the successful offeror will be partnering or subcontracting any part of the work, priority should be given to other Mexican organizations, unless the required technical expertise or capacity is only available through international organizations.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) seeks applications from qualified organizations to fund an activity entitled Justice for the Disappeared in Chihuahua. Eligibility for this award is restricted to Mexican Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). Please see Section C for eligibility requirements.

The overall goal of this activity is to improve the state response to enforced disappearances through increased capacity in public institutions and more effective victims’ advocacy in the Mexican state of Chihuahua. The theory of change is that if Mexican government institutions are able to more effectively respond to human rights abuses by collaborating with victims, human rights organizations and forensics specialists for the advancing of cases of enforced disappearances, these cases will decrease and victims will find justice, thus building the legitimacy of the GOM.

There are now more than 35,000 officially recognized victims of disappearance in Mexico and Chihuahua reports at least 1,698 to date. However, prosecutors inappropriately reclassifying enforced disappearances and victims not reporting disappearances due to fear of retaliation or no easy access to prosecutors, suggest the actual number is greater.  The lack of basic accurate investigative steps by Mexican authorities hinder the identification of those responsible for disappearances.  Mexican authorities also lack capacity to make use of forensic anthropology to help identify remains of victims, provide possible information regarding cause and manner of death, and bring closure to the victims families.  Investigation, forensic anthropology and access social services, must operate appropriately to help victims deal with the consequences of the disappearance.

Ongoing activities related to enforced disappearances

Under international law, the responsibility to investigate and prosecute enforced disappearance cases is that of the State.   This activity will build off of the momentum and political will already created by the USAID’s EnfoqueDH human rights activity in Chihuahua  The activity will also amplify EnfoqueDH’s work with victims’ collectives, families of the disappeared, and local and international human rights organizations.